what's Congress's role in the Iraq War??

Question

Can Congress stop the war?
Lawmakers have the constitutional authority. What they may not have, however, is the will.
By Jonathan Turley

Over the next week, Congress will vote on a non-binding resolution denouncing President Bush's decision to send more troops to Iraq. Many people have already noted that with thousands of dead soldiers and hundreds of billions of dollars lost, Congress might be able to manage more than a legislative "Dear John" letter. Yet, if you listen to the president and some Democratic leaders, Congress can do little to stop the hemorrhaging of lives and treasure.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/01/post_23.html

Answer 1

The resolution to denounce the decision of George Bush is like a shot across the bow, it is a warning shot, per say congress has the constitutional right to defund the war. Bush has ask for more then a 240 billion dollars for the next year and congress does not have to act on that and this would end the war. I do think though that it might be political suicide if this is done. by sending a non binding resolution they are letting the president know that they are not pleased with his new strategy and they have this option. Congress does not have the constitutional ability to just stop the war as this is the presidents decision as he is the commander in chief. But they can just refuse to pay for it. It is mostly all political infighting is all, it may be interesting to see what happens later this year when and if this new escalation does not work;

Answer 2

The option congress has is to stop the funding of the war. This would be a difficult choice since we have 130,000+ service people in Iraq & we certainly don't want to deprive them of the weapons they need to protect themselves. The President knows this & so feels free to send more troops into Iraq. Congress will only threaten to stop the funding, they won't do it. They really can't do it to our service people.

Answer 3

congress has the power to do just about anything they wish, even going against President and his opinions. However, they lack the stomach. Most of the members of congress have been elected or trying to be re elected by saying "we don't agree with the President". However, that is just a bunch of crap. They will say whatever they need to inorder to ensure a job for themselves. Even dare I say it "LIE". They know damn well this is the right thing to do, but nobody will say it and risk being the one to piss off the american people.
Instead of the "non binding resolution" which is a bunch of crap, they need to grow a pair.

Answer 4

they also have power over the money.